Low temperature synthesis of photocatalytic mesoporous tio2 nanomaterials

We report the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 nanostructures based on the decomposition of TiOSO4 in aqueous alkaline solution at room temperature, followed by mild thermal treatment (110◦C) in an oven and suitable to yield up to 40 g of product per batch. The duration of the thermal treatment was found to be crucial to control crystalline phase composition, specific surface area, surface chemistry and, accordingly, the photocatalytic properties of the obtained TiO2 nanocrystals. The thorough investigation of the prepared samples allowed us to explain the relationship between the structure of the obtained nanoparticles and their photocatalytic behavior, that was tested in a model reaction. In addition, the advantage of the mild treatment against a harsher calcination at 450◦C was illustrated. The proposed approach represents a facile and sustainable route to promptly access an effective photocatalyst, thus holding a significant promise for the development of solutions suitable to real technological application in environmental depollution

Monod kinetics degradation of low concentration residual organics in membraneless microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are attracting considerable attention as innovative systems for energy production from renewable residual biomass and biomass-derived wastes dissolved in wastewaters. The current produced by a microbial fuel cell can also be used to quantify the rate of specific metabolic processes and the substrate concentration in real time. Aim of this work is the study of the correlation between the decay of current density in a microbial fuel cell and the concentration of the residual organic substrates when it reaches low concentration, in the rage of 0-500 mg/L COD. Tests were performed in continuous flow using an air breathing, membraneless MFC using sodium acetate as organic substrate. A direct concentration-dependent current output was achieved in the range of 0-100 mg/l, with a Monod kinetics as the best-fitting model. A step of current was also achieved at concentration higher than 120 mg/L

Scalable synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 for environmental photocatalytic applications

Increasing environmental concern, related to pollution and clean energy demand, have urged the development of new smart solutions profiting fromnanotechnology, including the renowned nanomaterial-assisted photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. In this framework, increasing efforts are devoted to the development of TiO2-based nanomaterials with improved photocatalytic activity. A plethora of synthesis routes to obtain high quality TiO2-based nanomaterials is currently available. Nonetheless, large-scale production and the application of nanosized TiO2 is still hampered by technological issues and the high cost related to the capability to obtain TiO2 nanoparticles with high reaction yield and adequate morphological and structural control. The present review aims at providing a selection of synthetic approaches suitable for large-scale production of mesoporous TiO2-based photocatalysts due to its unique features including high specific surface area, improved ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorption, high density of surface hydroxyl groups, and significant ability for further surface functionalization The overviewed synthetic strategies have been selected and classified according to the following criteria (i) high reaction yield, (ii) reliable synthesis scale-up and (iii) adequate control over morphological, structural and textural features. Potential environmental applications of such nanostructures including water remediation and air purification are also discussed

The role played by the Italian Public Administration in attracting investment for the enhancement of Real Estate Assets

The aspects related to effciency of PAs' licence-issuing procedures plays a key role for the strategy of a property investment. The paper deals with this topic by showing a survey's results which - since 2008 -involved the main Italian Local Public Administration and which analyzed processes and actions put in place to promote the attraction of Real Estate investments. The paper presents the survey's results of Permanent Observatory on Local Public Administrations (OPPAL), which deals with the efficiency of the licence-issuing procedures applied by the Local Public Administration (LPA) in Italy to attract investment. The survey analysed the town-planning and building procedures implemented in the largest Italian Municipalities and it studied the issue of the efficiency of permit-granting procedures. The Permanent Observatory on Local Public Administrations (OPPAL) survey underlines two main aims: - to offer an opportunity to promote the territory by promoting transparency about and disseminating the practices adopted for investment licensing procedures; - to provide valuable support in defining the strategic investment choices of Real Estate operators. This paper highlights the value of a ten-year analysis, as an unique tool at national level, for attracting investment for the enhancement of Real Estate Assets